French Polynesia operator orders fast catamaran ferry

French Polynesia-based The Degage Group has awarded Austal a €20.5 million (US$24 million) contract for the design and construction of a new high-speed catamaran ferry.

Work will commence on the new ferry in August 2021 at Austal Vietnam. Delivery is scheduled for the first half of 2023.

The vessel will have an LOA of 66.4 metres, a beam of 15.2 metres, a draught of 1.8 metres, and capacity for 574 passengers. Crew accommodation will include seven two-berth cabins and two single-berth cabins.

The ferry will also have space for up to 16 tonnes of cargo with loading and unloading to be accomplished via two cranes.

Four diesel engines driving waterjets will propel the vessel to a maximum speed of 35.8 knots or a range of 360 nautical miles.

The new ferry will be the fifth Austal-designed and built vessel to be acquired by The Degage Group.

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